A recent Facebook post circulating in Somalia claims that General Mahad Abdirahman Adan, a former commander of the Somali special forces, lost a limb in an airstrike that targeted his home in the town of Doolow, Gedo region. The post, which has been shared multiple times, includes a photo showing the general with a bandaged hand and leg. However, PesaCheck, a fact-checking organization, has found that the post and the accompanying photo are fabricated.
According to PesaCheck, the photo accompanying the post appears to have been created using artificial intelligence. Upon closer inspection, the image shows anomalies, particularly in the medical equipment, the way the leg and hand are bandaged, and the unnatural shadows cast on the medical personnel in the background. Furthermore, a reverse image search using Google did not yield any credible results to support the authenticity of the photo.
PesaCheck also reviewed a video interview with General Mahad, in which he discusses the airstrike on his home in Doolow. In the video, the general is seen with all his limbs intact, contradicting the claims made in the Facebook post. The Somali government has denied carrying out the airstrike, stating that their security agencies believe the explosion was caused by a car that was being prepared near the general's home.
The airstrike on General Mahad's home occurred on September 3, 2026, and reportedly resulted in minor injuries to the general, who is also a member of the Somali parliament. The incident has sparked controversy, with the opposition strongly condemning the attack amid ongoing tensions related to the country's elections.
General Mahad is a close ally of former Southwest State President Abdicasiis Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), whose forces have faced repeated attacks in the city of Baidoa. Laftagareen resigned in March 2026 after weeks of political and security pressure from the federal government, but later claimed to be the legitimate president, with his forces controlling parts of Southwest State.
PesaCheck is part of a network of fact-checking organizations working to combat misinformation on social media platforms, including Facebook. The organization aims to provide the public with accurate and in-depth information about the posts they see on their social media feeds. PesaCheck's work is supported by Code for Africa, a pan-African organization that seeks to promote technology and data-driven journalism.
The fabricated post about General Mahad's injury is part of a broader effort by PesaCheck to verify information and counter misinformation on social media. The organization has been working to fact-check claims related to government activities, particularly those affecting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and public services such as healthcare, rural development, and access to water and sanitation.
Key points
- A Facebook post claiming General Mahad Abdirahman Adan lost a limb in an airstrike is false.
- The photo accompanying the post appears to have been created using artificial intelligence.
- General Mahad was indeed involved in an airstrike on his home in Doolow, but there is no evidence to support the claim that he lost a limb.
